PAET Y.— PEUXIN'G. 



ADVANTAGES OF A PTEAMTDAL FORM FOR PEAR TREES, 

 BOTH ON QUINCE AND PEAR STOCKS. 



The advantages which seem to be gained by a 

 pyramidal growth in the pear tree, more especially, 

 are : 



1. There is no violent interference with tlie natural 

 structure of the tree, but we rather aid it to attain 

 this form more perfectly ; that is, we do not by 

 crowding it in the nursery rows, or by cutting with 

 the pruning-knife, deprive it of the natural formation 

 of low branches. To cut any portion of the wood, of 

 more than one year old, is to interfere more or less 

 seriously with the organism of the tree ; and the 

 occasion for it arises from neglect to prune at tlie 

 proper time. To prevent malformation is better than 

 to amputate ; and to form a tree properly, we must 

 begin with the maiden plant. 



2. Low-branched pyramids come into bearing much 

 sooner than trees with long trunks. Tlie Pear, on its 

 own stock, trained as a standard, varies with the kind, 

 from eight to twenty years, in producing fruit ; but, 

 trained as a pyramid, its period of fruit-bearing is 

 lessened from four to twelve yeai-s. The Seckcl and 



( 147'') 



